The effect of human plasma on platelet function in familial hypercholesterolemia

Using a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) preparation, platelets from subjects with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) were found to be more reactive to the aggregating agents epinephrine, ADP and thrombin than platelets obtained from normal individuals. Gel-filtered platelets (GFP) i.e. platelets free of any plasma constituents also showed increased activation as determined by platelet aggregation and 14C-serotonin release. On incubating washed platelets from normal subjects with plasma obtained from FH subjects the platelet response to aggregating agents was significantly increased. Incubation of washed platelets from the FH patients with normal plasma, however, resulted in a significant decrease in platelet activity. Our data suggest that the increased platelet activation in FH patients is the result of a change in the platelets induced by abnormal plasma constituents.